Flu shots given to children by Halifax doctor may not be effective: officials

HALIFAX (CP) — Health officials say 27 children may have received ineffective flu shots from a Halifax-area pediatrician whose licence was suspended last month after he was accused of improperly mixing vaccinations for hundreds of youngsters.

Officials say it’s believed that Dr. William Vitale improperly mixed the 2013 seasonal flu vaccine with routine childhood immunizations in some cases, which may have impacted the efficacy of the flu shot.

Parents of the 27 patients are being contacted and advised to have their children re-vaccinated as soon as possible.

Last month, the provincial Health Department said it was investigating Vitale, a private physician, after receiving a complaint from a member of the public.

It is alleged Vitale administered improperly mixed vaccinations for about 500 children under the age of two between 1992 and 1994, and between 2003 and the present.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia suspended Vitale’s medical licence on Dec. 13.